Soul Bound (Moonstone Saga #2)(48)
Author: Courtney Cole

“Do you like your rooms?” he asked casually.  To be honest, I hadn’t looked at them.  From my bed, I could see silken tapestries, thick woolen rugs, chandeliers, mahogany, gold.  He had certainly spared no expense in decorating.

“You also have a sitting room and a Greek bathing room,” he added.  “If anything isn’t to your taste, simply let Persephone know and it will be changed at once.”

“Persephone?” I raised an eyebrow.  “How does she feel about my presence here?  I’m assuming we’re in your palace.”

“Of course we are,” he confirmed. “And Persephone loves guests.  Although, you aren’t a guest, of course.  This is your home.  Please treat it as such.”

“Where are Brennan’s rooms?” I asked.

“Right next to yours,” Brennan interrupted.  “In fact, they adjoin.”

“You seem to have thought of everything,” I told Hades.  He shrugged.

“I try.”

“What will happen now?” I asked.  “If Zeus is angry, there will be hell to pay.  We outmaneuvered him.  He won’t stand for it.”

“Of course not,” Hades agreed.  “Only the time has come that perhaps he will have no choice.  You are a game-changer, daughter.  And I think Zeus knows it.”

“I never asked to be a game-changer,” I pointed out.  “And where’s my mother?”

“Well, whether you asked for it or not, it is what you are,” he answered.  “And your mother is gone.  The second that Brennan willed you here, your mother disappeared.  I’m sure she is safe.  In fact, I wouldn’t be a bit surprised if she doesn’t turn up here very soon.  She certainly won’t stand on Zeus’ side.  Not now.”

“Zeus’ side?” Brennan asked.  “You talk like there will be a war.”

“Of course there will be,” Hades answered, completely unconcerned.  “Finally.”

He was pleased.  Brennan and I could both see that.  I found that I was actually indifferent.  I didn’t care about angering Zeus any longer.  As long as my mother was free of his hold, it no longer concerned me- not as long as Brennan and I were together.

“So be it,” I replied carelessly.  “It matters not.”

“Of course it doesn’t matter,” Hades agreed.  He pulled the covers back on the bed and pulled me to my feet.  “You look well rested, daughter.  We must feast this evening, in your honor.”

“I cannot eat here…” I began out of habit.  And then I caught myself.  This was now my home.

“You are princess here,” Hades reminded me.  “You can come and go as freely as you would like.”

“And Brennan?” I asked expectantly.

“Brennan will enjoy the same freedoms once he is your husband,” Hades answered.

Brennan’s eyes snapped to mine and held in an unwavering gaze.

“Married?” I breathed.

“Of course.  Once you are tied together, he will enjoy the same freedoms and privileges as you.”

“And until we’re married?”

“Until then, he will be as any other person who enters the Underworld,” Hades said matter-of-factly.  “If you choose to not get married, Brennan must drink from the river Leche to forget his mortal life and he will remain here.  I’m sorry, Empusa, but I’m sure you know that I am a very fair god.  Rules for one apply to all.  I can treat Brennan no differently.  But that doesn’t concern you, does it?  Weren’t you planning to marry?”

Were we?  Brennan had asked once upon a time, but so much had happened that it hadn’t even crossed my mind in so long. We were together.  That was all that mattered to me.  Making it official wasn’t a concern.

Until now.

“Brennan?” I asked.

“You already know that I want you to be my wife,” he answered.  “And it appears that in marrying me, you will save me from a lifetime of amnesia.”

It was true.  Drinking from the river Leche would render him without memories.  He would forget who he was, who I was, who we were together.  Suddenly, it was no longer a question.  It was inevitable.

“We’ll be married at the soonest opportunity,” I told Hades.

“Wonderful,” he dipped his head.   “Congratulations.  I’ll tell Persephone.  She can ready the feasts and the ceremony can commence tonight. There is no time like the present.”

He walked toward the door.  “I’ll leave you alone,” he said over his shoulder.  “I will send your maid to ready a bath.”

He stepped out and closed the heavy door behind him.  I stared at the ivory inlay.  They were carved with scenes from my life, beginning with my birth.  They stopped at the present point, where Brennan and I stood together in marriage.  There was blank space left to fill on the bottom half of the second door.  Hades had truly spared no expense or trouble in preparing my suite.

I turned to Brennan.  “So, this is your last afternoon of being single.  You should ask Hades for a bachelor party.”

Brennan laughed.  “I would marry you this minute if I could. I don’t need a bachelor party.”

“I worry that you are so young,” I told him.  “You haven’t even lived yet.”

“My soul is old,” he reminded me.  “And when I’m not with you, I’m not living anyway.”

“Good answer,” I told him with a smile.

“I try,” he shrugged, mimicking Hades.  It was a perfect impression and I laughed.

“I should be nervous,” I told him seriously.  “I’m sure that Zeus is planning a battle of epic proportions, but all I can feel is relief that we are out of the clearing and here together.  I feel safe for the first time in…ever.”

“Me too,” Brennan admitted.  “I think it just feels good to know what side we are on, finally.”

“What about your father?” I asked him.  “Apollo will not be happy with you.”

“He’s not truly my father,” Brennan answered brusquely.  “Not really.  He fathered me and gave me immortal gifts, but he’s nothing to me.”